UC probe finds Cal chancellor got improper freebies from gym

Six months after finishing its probe, the University of California has released a heavily redacted report indicating that outgoing UC Berkeley Chancellor Nicholas Dirks got improper fitness freebies from the school recreation center — including a few dozen private sessions with a personal trainer.

Dirks’ off-the-books workouts with campus trainer Devin Wicks were at the center of an unusual whistleblower complaint lodged last year by one of Wick’s fellow employees at the campus Recreational Sports Facility. Wicks’ boss later said he had approved the freebies.

The timing of the allegations came as Dirks was already on the defensive over his UC-paid household budget and his handling of sexual harassment claims against professors and other campus employees.

After a months-long investigation by the president’s office, UC concluded in September that Dirks had improperly allowed a “newish” $3,500 elliptical exercise machine to be installed in the chancellor’s home; had been given a complementary, four-year membership to the Recreational Sports Facility worth $1,870; and had 48 free workout sessions with Wicks worth “a minimum of $3,120.”

UC Berkeley Chancellor Nicholas Dirks listens as the UC Board of Regents discuss a plan to raise student tuition fees before voting for its approval during a meeting at the UCSF Mission Bay campus in San Francisco, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017. less

UC Berkeley Chancellor Nicholas Dirks listens as the UC Board of Regents discuss a plan to raise student tuition fees before voting for its approval during a meeting at the UCSF Mission Bay campus in San ... more

UC Berkeley Chancellor Nicholas Dirks listens as the UC Board of Regents discuss a plan to raise student tuition fees before voting for its approval during a meeting at the UCSF Mission Bay campus in San Francisco, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017. less

UC Berkeley Chancellor Nicholas Dirks listens as the UC Board of Regents discuss a plan to raise student tuition fees before voting for its approval during a meeting at the UCSF Mission Bay campus in San ... more

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On Friday, a representative of Dirk’s office said the chancellor “immediately paid the university in full” once he was informed that he should have been charged for the membership and workout sessions.

The report makes no mention of Wicks having accompanied the chancellor’s wife, Janaki Bahkle, who is an associate professor in history, on an alumni association-sponsored trip to India. Bahke had said she had been entitled to bring a guest, and Wicks said he had used vacation time.

Wicks, who was put in paid leave while his ties to Dirks and his wife were under investigation, has since returned to work.

The exercise equipment has since been returned to the university as well.

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